Clutch life expectancy?

Hi guys ,

I recently bought an '03 with 14 k on the clock. I just changed the oil and noticed a few black specks in it, I read somewhere this could be the clutch friction plates disintegrating... What kind of mileage are you guys getting out of a stock clutch?

I changed the air filter ( evicted the mice!) and flushed the coolant tonite, I'll check the plugs tomorrow and clean the old girl up . Life is good!

 

Do you know the history of the bike? Usually, these bikes are not "beat-on." If you get the bike into 5 or 6 gear and open up the throttle, its a good yard stick to see if its gona slip or not. I have replaced some clutches on my own bikes at 20,000 miles as well as some with 50-60,000 miles. I have replaced clutches on peoples bikes with as little as a few thousand miles.

My viffer, I did at over 70,000 and the new one was not really much different except for speeds over 117mph or so, maybe 120mph, seems like it had more beans left...Not that I go that fast every time I go oot. Actually, I do! Just make sure to change the springs as well, when you do it, I go for metals, frictions, and springs along with a gasket OEM is best imho. If you talk to some people here, they will tell you to get a six pack of beer too...Anyway, Cheers...

 

Thanks Ridervfr,

I don't think my bike was abused by the PO , it's super clean and very stock, the clutch isn't slipping either,I ll keep riding it, I was just curious . My vintage track bike on the other hand eats clutches for breakfast! Thanks for the tips.

 

I replace my at 50k cause I was bore......The old clutch look as good as the replacement.
14k is just broken in

 

I just hit 90K (miles) on my '99 today, original clutch.

 

Im at 40k and still pulling great. I was bored one day during an oil change and thought i would inspect it while all the fairings were off. That was around 35k and all the specs were well within tolerance. I figured with they way i had been riding it the last 30k it would need at least new fibers. I dont abuse my bike but i do like to play moto-gp at times. I have always run the same oil honda gn4 and honda oil filters and i try to change it every 3 to 4 thousand miles. Im like scubalong 14k is just getting broken in

 

A factor directly related to rider skill or abuse. Clutch life is mostly a function of how hard it's used.

 

Ah....they wear out? Mine has over 105K (miles) and still good as new as far as I can tell.

 

Mine was fried when I got the bike, with only about 25k on it. But then, there have been a lot of problems with this poor girl.

Still love her to death though.

~jack

 

I've had 20 bikes in my 45 years of bike riding. Replaced cables,rods,seals,chains,regs,discs,rotors & a seriously stuffed motor, And not 1 clutch. I don't suspect your clutch of being cactus with such low mileage, but paranoia is a good thing. I have a friend who thinks that bike maintenance is putting petrol in the tank.

 

My toaster is 47 years old.